Basically if you are looking for a library job you need to realize that there are three different subsets of work that you will be doing. Often you can specialize in one of these areas or you may want to be strong in all of them to be as marketable as possible. Library jobs generally require you to deal with patrons so strong customer service skills are important. You will need to be good at aiding patrons in what they are looking for and in educating them as to how they may find things on their own. Additionally, though it is rare at times you may need to deal with unhappy clients to help solve their issue.
There are also those library jobs that are more technical in nature. These individuals are generally responsible for finding materials for the library, procuring them, and then listing them in the catalog system so that users can find them. Additionally there are library jobs that are geared towards administration. The perfect candidate for this type of position is someone who is comfortable supervising other employees, maintaining budgets, and negotiating contracts.
To get a library job you are going to need some specific education. A general bachelor's degree, and then the most common requirement is to achieve an MLS or a master's degree with a focus in library science. You can achieve this type of degree from one of many different universities, but you are going to want to look for one that is accredited by the American Library Association. This accreditation ensures that you are getting the best education possible that meets the necessary standards of the industry. In general you can finish this program in about a year, but sometimes it may take you as long as two years to complete. That being said if your goal is to become a specialist in a specific area you may want to pursue further education. In that case it is quite common for a potential candidate to try to get a Ph.D.. Again this degree should be specifically in library sciences, and by achieving it you may open up the possibility of teaching on the college level or being a top administrator to yourself.
It is not uncommon to wonder what library jobs pay. The truth is that the salary can vary from location to location. The size, geographical site, and type of library can all factor into the formula that determines the wages for each job. On the low end some library jobs start in the mid $20,000 per year where as the higher caliber positions can expect to make more than $65,000 per year. This shows that there is quite a range, but also shows that there is a growth potential in the industry.
